Nobody could’ve scripted a more exciting match to close the 2025-26 ACAA Soccer Championships than what went down in the men’s conference finals on Sunday.
A game that took over two hours, with two halves and two extra-time periods, to decide a winner, the first-seed University of King’s College Blue Devils ultimately emerged victorious over the University of New Brunswick Saint John Seawolves with a last-second goal in the second extra period, regaining regional supremacy after being the bridesmaid last year.
On top of earning their second gold medal within three years, the Blue Devils completed a perfect season, not going a single game across the regular season and playoffs with zero points earned, and allowing just two goals against.
On Sunday, everybody at the Terry Fox Sports Complex in Cornwall, P.E.I. were treated to an unbelievably heated and emotional contest that was plagued by headers, collisions, and controversial calls.
Things remained scoreless for the entire first half, with opportunities exchanged both ways. The offensive drought finally came to an end in the 48th minute, courtesy of Ignacio Chung-Michelsen for UKC.
Chung-Michelsen was fed a pass up center, acquiring the ball at the edge of the penalty area, and firing home a low shot to put the Blue Devils on the board.
As regulation time wound down, the Seawolves pushed with all their might to find a miracle and keep the action going, even against a tough Blue Devils defense.
Their big break came in the 84th minute off a high feed from the right of the center circle, which led to a mad scramble with countless bounces within the penalty area.
In the midst of it all, the ball landed in front of Keanu Pereira at the goal area line, and he found an opening to the right, stunning everybody with a game-tying goal.
The first extra 15 went scoreless, with an equal level of play that proved nobody was the clear favourite in the moment. Another 15 minutes went on the clock, and it took until the very last second for the long-awaited golden goal.
Michael Zinck finished a brilliant tic-tac-toe play between the right wing, near post, and the center edge of the goal area, sealing the deal at the latter for the biggest goal of his career, which sends UKC to the CCAA Nationals on Nov 5-8 in Saint-Lambert, Quebec.
Zinck rightfully earned the Blue Devils Player of the Game, while Pereira was awarded the Seawolves Player of the Game.
Congratulations to UKC on reclaiming the championship, and UNBSJ on a hard-fought effort!
Republished original post with permission from the AACA.
